Sustainable Transition Center

In 2023, WRI launched the Sustainable Transition Center in Beijing. Focusing on China, looking globally, STC seeks holistic solutions across different projects through inter-disciplinary and cross-project collaboration. 

China, as a mega economy, has distinctive characteristics across various regions. The disparities in local economy and industries underscore the importance of customizing region-specific strategies for sustainable and green transition. Therefore, we focus on four most representative regions in China: the Yangtze River Delta (YRD)region, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Sichuan-Chongqing region and Shandong Province, to explore customized solutions for green transition in different regions of China. 

As for global level, we actively integrate resources and partnership to support the development and application of renewable energy in key regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia through science-based research, policy dialogue, data analysis, tool innovation, as well as outreach. Our goal is to promote the resilient development and efficient use of global renewable energy supply chains. Additionally, we strive to enhance China's role in global renewable energy, social development, green trade and investment through South-South cooperation, injecting new momentum into China’s efforts to hold hands with other countries in low-carbon and sustainable development.

Focusing on China: explore customized solutions for subnational green transition

Yangtze River Delta Region (YRD)

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, as the top-runner of China's high-quality economic growth and its green and low-carbon transition, boasts robust financial resources and a dynamic private sector. The region has always been a pioneer with openness and innovation, embodying the core mission and responsibility of ecological civilization.

Over the years, WRI China has carried out various projects in the YRD region, helping the region to break the barriers, build the demonstration zone of green and integrated ecological development, create a pilot site of common prosperity, incorporate green finance and industrial transition, through which we accumulated a diverse but solid foundation for cooperation.

To further support the YRD region in addressing its emerging challenges, and to explore the best regional practices, WRI will strive to deepen the green and low-carbon development in “three provinces and one city” of YRD (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shanghai), focusing on key sectors of industry and energy to achieve their "Dual Carbon" goals in an orderly, efficient and inclusive manner.
 

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Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as a gateway of China’s export-oriented economy, is committed to deepening reforms, opening up to the global market, exploring self-developed leading science and technology, and building a modernized industrial structure, by setting a benchmark for other cities and regions in China.

WRI China is dedicated to fostering the GBA's transition to low-carbon energy, green and high-quality industrial development, and green (transitional) finance. WRI China seeks to facilitate strategic dialogue between the GBA and advanced international regions through in-depth cooperation with governments and business, and to help the GBA achieve its vision of green and high-quality development by leading China’s modernization. We also work to shift GBA into a world-class city cluster and to provide best practices for the green and low-carbon development worldwide.

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Sichuan and Chongqing Regions

Sichuan Province is one of the provinces with the lowest per capita carbon emissions in China. With advantages in hydropower resources and new energy industries including crystalline silicon, PV and power batteries, Sichuan bears a strong potential for green development. Its capital city, Chengdu, is also driving growth in tandem with Chongqing, forming a Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster – a
key contributor to China’s economic development and a pillar for high-quality growth.

In April 2023, WRI China launched its Sichuan Program Office in Chengdu, focusing on critical areas including energy production and consumption, high-quality development of green and low-carbon industries, socio-economic-environmental impacts, financial support for achieving “Dual Carbon” goals, and capacity building and policy dialogue. This initiative aims to provide essential support for green, low-carbon, and high-quality development in the Sichuan-Chongqing regions.
 

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Shandong Province

As a strategic hub for traditional industries and economic engine in the northern region, Shandong Province is the only comprehensive pilot site to replace old resource-based growth models with new ones, approved by China’s State Council. Iron and steel, cement, petrochemical, electrolytic aluminum and other two-high industries account for a big proportion of Shandong’s industry structure. Although its share of fossil energy is higher than the national average, Shandong boasts rich renewable energy resources such as wind power, photovoltaic, geothermal, etc. Its total installed capacity of wind power and photovoltaic ranked first domestically.

In 2023, WRI China launched the Shandong Province Inclusive Low-Carbon Transition Project, focusing on issues including the toplevel design of the dual-carbon mechanism, energy transition, deep decarbonization of “Two High” (High-Consuming, High-Intensity) industries, and transition finance. The project aims to leverage policy research, dialogue and exchange, as well as capacity building, to support the implementation of pilot projects, and come out with replicable as well as scalable best practices for green and high-quality development for cities worldwide.

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Looking Globally: Injecting New Momentum into Global Energy Transition Goals

We actively support the development and application of renewable energy across various scenarios in key regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia. Our efforts aim to enhance the resilience of global renewable energy supply chains and maximize resource efficiency. Through South-South cooperation, we contribute to China's efforts in playing a constructive role in global renewable energy, social development, and green trade and investment. By fostering strong communication with government bodies and the private sector, deepening partnerships with domestic and international think tanks, research institutions, and associations, and collaborating with leading experts in renewable energy, we are dedicated to driving collaborative efforts with other nations toward low-carbon and sustainable development.

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